The Harold K.L. Castle Foundation and Kamehameha Schools are excited to announce that the Ko‘olau Pilina Fund is accepting applications. Now in itʻs third year, the fund prioritizes projects specifically tailored to Ko‘olau communities on Oʻahu from Kahuku to Makapuʻu. Read about the first-year Pilina Fund pilot.
The purpose of the Koʻolau Pilina Fund (the fund) is to build community resilience in the Koʻolau region and follows a participatory approach to grantmaking in which a committee made up of Ko‘olau community members will vet proposals through an open, rolling application process. The committee hopes to help derisk new ideas, help to build capacity in the region and progress grassroots community efforts.
The committee will assess proposals for funding now through November 2024.
In addition, the Pilina Fund is looking for new committee members to serve a 2-year term starting in January 2025. Learn more or apply by clicking the button below.
PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS
The fund prioritizes projects tailored to Koʻolau communities and proposals must:
- Show alignment to Pilina Fund Values and Priorities;
- Come from or are sponsored by an organization with IRS 501 (c)(3) tax exempt status;
- Request between $3,000 and $15,000;
- Not duplicate program grants by the Castle Foundation.
FUNDING PRIORITIES
The Pilina Fund Committee will prioritize projects that create more opportunities for:
- Strong families
- Supportive, safe, and prepared communities
- Interacting with ʻāina, farming, and food security in the region
- Improved health and wellbeing
- Community-based education and learning
| Proposal Due Dates | Grant Announcements |
| August 31, 2024 | October 7, 2024 |
| October 31, 2024 | December 1, 2024 |
Please refer to the Request For Proposals (RFP) for the full details of the fund and application details. Applications may submitted via email or via the online application – click the button below. Contact the team at pilinafund@gmail.com for any questions.
PILINA FUND VALUES
Pilina: We believe in building long-term community well-being by strengthening the positive connections between people and place. We hope to invest in pilina through projects that embrace collaboration and partnershipin the pursuit of long-term resiliency.
Pono: As much as possible, we desire to be pono and strive for balance across the Koʻolau region. Our goal is to spread funding equitably, while also working to ensure the funding is reaching projects that best represent the purposes of the fund.
Ola Ka ʻĀina, Ola Ke Kanaka: It is important that these funds support both healthy people and healthy lands. If our land thrives, so do we as a Koʻolau community.
Aloha Koʻolau: All projects must be community-led and specific to the unique needs of our Koʻolau communities. The fund will support projects that understand the unique needs of our neighbors and find creative solutions to meet these needs. Especially important are projects that demonstrate collaboration among Koʻolau-based organizations or entities.